Carton and blank for forming the same



H. KONDOLF 2.178.076

CARTON AND BLANK FOR FORMING THE SAME Filed May 29, 1933 s Sheets-Sheet 1' Oct. 31, 1939.

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Filed May 29, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 lLlilli l N L. 2 7 W/%% (Ittorneg Oct. 31, 1939.

H. KONDOLF CARTON AND BLANK FOR FORMING THE SAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 29, 1933 x M ii m g M 5 W m m m m 5 m 2 m an Patented Oct. 31, 1939 armors can'ron mp BLANK roa romumc m sum Henry Kondolf, New York, N. Y., assignor to Southern Kraft Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 29, 1933, Serial No. 673,541'

9 Claims. (01. 229-37) My present invention relates to a folded carton and blank for forming the same. The object of my invention is to eliminate disadvantages of present methods of shipping goods in cardboard l containers and to provide a blank which attain this result.

The reason for the development of my invention is that under present methods of packaging, expensive machinery must be provided at the converters plant to convert carton blanks into the knocked-down or flat finished form. Heretofbre such blanks required the use of stitching or stapling,machinery, or the application of heavy reinforced gum. tape to form the blank into the knocked-down orfiat finished form. This operation required considerable time, it being necessary for the blank to be folded into flat form and then the ends thereof joined in such position.-

with my invention the machinery is eliminated and practically no more time is required to form the finished carton than is necessaryto merely fold it toward finished shape.

Another object of my invention is to provide a strong, rigid carton which can be shipped in fiat form thus taking advantage of the lower rates applicable-to sheet material. This is of advantage not only to the converter but to the manufacturer of the carbon blanks in allowing a lower cost to the ultimate product.

30, There are thus three main advantages in the matter of cost which accrueto my invention, namely, elimination of converting machinery, elimination of seaming materials such as staples or gummed tape, and the lessening of freight :5 costs. A still further feature of my invention is that these advantages are obtained in a carton, the blank of which may be cut from a large sheet with no attendanttloss of material, the edges of one blank forming the edges of adjacent blanks in substantially'all respects. Further, a saving in the handling of large quantities of these blanks is effected in the fact that they are capable of being shipped ready for ultimate use in the same form that they issue from a creasing and cutting machine.

My invention may be made of cardboard, strawboard and other relatively stiif material, preferably of the type known as single or double-faced kraft corrugated board. The latter material is strong and carries a good inking impression, while being relatively thin for its stiflness and strength.

. Preferred forms of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the descripssj tion set forth in the following specification.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 illustrates the blank embodying the basic principle of my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a carton assemt bled into tubular shape from the blank of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial view of an inside corner of the assembled carton showing a feature of the self-locking construction;

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of a cartoon 10 assembled from the blank of Fig. 1 and illustrating a further feature of the locking construction;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a modified form of blank carrying the features of my invention to a further degree;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a carton assembled into tubular form from the blank of Fig- 5;

Fig. 7 is a bottom view of a completely assem- Z0 bled carton utilizing the blank of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a partial view in perspective of the carton of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a blank embodyin further' features of my invention; 16

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the finished carton utilizing the blank of Fig. 9, wherein, the top of the carton has not yet been closed and special packages are shown within the carton and illustrating a particular use to which my invention is '0 peculiarly adapted; and I Fig. 11 illustrates the bottom of the carton formed from the blank of Fig. 9.

' My blank is formed in a suitable rotary or stamping press and consists of various parts de fined by relatively few' straight cuts and score lines, thus simplifying the machinery necessary therefor. The walls. of the carton may consist of any rectangular configuration, the drawings being merely illustrative and not intended to be 40 limiting on the shape of the carton.

The simplest form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 will now be described. The sides of the carton consist of opposed end walls I and 3 and side walls 2 and 4, the several walls being de- 45 fined by score lines and forming a body portion for the blank. Top flaps 5, equal in width to'the walls, are joined to the upper edge of the body portion along its edge defining score line, the four top fiaps being separated by straight cuts. The top flaps are substantially half as long as the width of the walls so that opposite flaps will abut when folded inward to form the top of the carton (Fig. 4) Bottom flaps 3, similar to top flaps I, are attached along the lower edge score line I of the body portion. The top and bottom when folded to enclose articles within the carton may be sealed by suitable means such as gummed tape, special sealing mechanism being designed for this particular service, or, as is evident, such operation may be manually performed.

The end edges of the body portion are formed with interengaging means adapted to retain the body portion in tubular form. These means con- 19 slst of an end flap 1 attached along a score line defining the end edge of end wall 4 and having a locking tab |3 thereon, opposed locking tab l0 formed in the end edge of side wall I, and a locking flap I attached to the lower end edge of end flap 1 and adapted to cooperate with a slit ll along the lower edge of side, wall I. Locking tab III is formed by a cut 8 beginning at or near one corner of end wall I and extending diagonally inward to a median point. A divergent out forms go a notch 9, the resultant flap being cut short of its point to form the locking tab, which extends from the median point toward,the upper edge of the body portion. Locking tab I3 is similarly formed by cut beginning at or near the lower corner of end flap I and extending diagonally inward to a median point. A divergent cut forms a notch 2, the resultant tab being cut short of its point and forming a tab extending from the median line toward the lower comer of go the body portion. Theends of the body portion are thus provided with interlocking means comprising opposed locking tabs and notches.

Locking flap I4 is substantially rectangular in form and is separated from the adjacent bottom u'flap 3 by a straight out continuing from the end brought into registery, tabs l0 and I! both lyin inside of and flat against the so-formed wall, and edge cuts 3 and II forming a continuous. straight, diagonal line along the outside thereof. Thus a neat outside surface is formed and the looking tabs are protected from accidental tear- .ing. Locking flap may be slipped through slit |l at the same time or later'if desired.

The carton is now subjected to the usual bottoming operation, bottom flaps 3 being folded upward and sealed in the ordinary manner. The

bottom flaps retain locking flap l4 normal to the side walls, thus preventing tabs II and I3 from .sliding past each other and unlocking. After filling the carton, top flaps i are folded inward and the final sealing operation performed. A usual procedure is to fold the bottom flaps inward, fill the carton, fold top flaps i inward and then seal both the top and bottom in one operation, special sealing machinery being designed I for this purpose. It is to be appreciated that these sealing operations may be manually performed and that they form no part of my present invention.

The form of cartonillustrated in Figs. 5 to 8' carries my invention one step further in eliminating the necessity for machinery and materials involved in sealing the bottom of the carton. In this form the blank shown in Fig. 5 is sub- 'stantially identical to that shown in Fig. 1 except that self-locking interengaging means are provided on the bottom flaps. These bottom flaps are made longer than top flaps 5 so that they will overlap when folded to complete the bottom. Alternate bottom flaps are provided with locking tabs similar to locking tabs in and I3. Thus in Fig. 5 a locking tab is provided on the bottom flaps associated with end walls 2 and 4, flap 23 being formed with a locking tab 2| and flap 22 being provided with a locking tab 23, formed by diagonal cuts 24, 25 and notches 26, 21, respectively. Tabs 2| and 23 extend in the same direction from median points of the bottom flaps as the blank is seen in its flat form. However, when the carton is assembled into tubular form it is apparent that tabs 2| and 23 will be opposed and may be inter-engaged to seal the bottom of the carton, thus eliminating an additional strip of gummed tape, stitches or stapling, and the machinery necessary to perform the bottom sealing operation.

It will be apparent from Figs. 6 and 7 that the carton is formed into tubular shape in exactly the same manner as in the first form, thus embodying all the features and advantages previously pointed out. The bottom flaps associated with side walls I and 3 are first folded inward in overlapping relationship and retain locking flap H in position. The alternate pair of bottom flaps provided with interengaging means are now folded upward and the notches 23 and 21 brought into registry, with looking tabs 2| and 23 inside of the so formed wall but below the overlapped portions of the plain bottom flaps, as seen in Fig. 7 In this form as in the other all of the locking flaps are thus protected from accidental disengagement or tearing, and the surface is likewise unmarred by ugly irregular lines, all that appears on the surface being the diagonal line along one side wall plus a continuous straight diagonal line along the bottom.

The exact form of blank illustrated in Fig. 5 is preferred, but it is not entirely necessary that the interlocking bottom. flaps be associated with end walls 2 and I, since interlocking means-may be provided on the bottom flaps associated with thesidewallslsnd3andanequallyeffective closure thus obtained. However, the form illustrated is preferable since the plain bottom flaps are the first to be folded inward and thusretain locking flap ll normal to the side wall in a more positive engagement than if the alternate arrangement were used. Itis also possible that the locking tabs 2| and 23 may extend toward the opposite lower corner of the blank, the only requirement being that they extend in the same direction so that they will be opposed when the blank is folded into tubular relationship.

The form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11 extend the features of my invention to the closing of the top of the carton. Thus, alternate top flaps 30 and 32 are provided with interlocking tabs 3| and 33 respectively, formed by cuts 34 and 35 and notches 33 and 31, respectively. These tabs are exactly similar to those described in connection with Fig. 5, extending in the same direction from median points of alternate top flaps and forming when encased a top wall exactly similar to the previously described bottom wall. Thus when closed the carton presents a neat outside surface having diagonal lines on one side wall and both top and bottom walls, and all looking tabs and flaps are protected inside of the outer surface of the carton. Locking tabs 3| and 32 need not be directly opposite locking tabs 2| and 23, the only?!) requirement being that they be placed on alternate top flaps. Nor need they extend in the same direction relative to the blank, since it is apparent that looking tabs 2| and '23 may extend 5 toward the lower left-handcorner while looking tabs 3| and 33 extend toward the upper righthand comer.

Fig. illustrates a particular use to which my carton is specially adapted, wherein special cases 10 40, forming the subject, of my copending Patent No. 2,112,535, Mar. 29, 1938, each adapted to contain three bottles, are placed within the carton. These cases are so formed that a minimum of space is required to packages dozen bottles, and the dimensions of the cases and the carton are in such relationship that a snug fit is obtained. The carton is thus effectively prevented from distortion and there is no possibility for any of the locking tabs 'to become accidentally disengaged.

In assembling the package shown in Fig. 10 locking flaps I0 and I3 are first engaged to form a tube. Then the bottom wall is formed by the engagement of locking flaps 2| and 23. The drawing shows the bottom flaps disengaged for the purpose of illustration only. Thereafter cases 40 are placed within the carton and the top locking tabs 3| and 33 are engaged to form the completed carton. To facilitate the engagement of bottom locking flaps 2| and 23 and top locking flaps 3| and 33 score lines 38 are provided permitting the bending of these flaps. When the case is filled with goods the operator, may by bending the flaps along these score lines, engage 5 the cooperating flaps with ease. The snugly fitting cases tend to prevent any skewing of the walls of the carton, and after engagement of the tabs, the resiliency of the carton material and the enclosed cases forces the carton to assume a 40 rectangular shape, positively locking both top and bottom flaps against accidental disengagement. As stated in connection with the other forms, locking flap I4 prevents disengagement of locking tabs Ill and 13.

Of course other articles maybe so packaged, and any of such articles which are so proportioned as to snugly fit within the carton will have the same tendency to positively retain the ,locking tabs. Articles not having a definite shape imay likewise be packaged in my carton, the use of stripsof gummed tape insuring positive engagement'of the locking tabs.

As a further measure of precaution the edges of overlapping flaps may be provided with suitable adhesive. This is not necessary to my invention, but it is apparent that such procedure doubly insures the safety of the enclosed articles. A featureofmy invention that cannot be too strongly stressed is the fact that the carton blanks are formed in one operation in a standard press, thereby assuring that each portion of the blank is of a definite configuration, and that each interlokingnotch has a definite relationship to its opposed interengag'ing 'notch. As a result, when the carton is formed, even in inexperienced hands, each wall will be in definite rectangular relationship to adjacent walls, thus assuring a standard finished product. This feature entirely obviates the trouble and lack of uniformity experienced in the use of stitched or tape-sealed cartons.

and bottom sealing means such as are ordinarily encountered may be used. Likewise, in the form illustrated in Fig. 5, any ordinary sealing means may be used on the top of the carton. The ultimate form illustrated in Fig. 9 requires no sealing means whatsoever extraneous to that supplied by the locking-features of the blank. It is equally apparent that adhesive or strips of gummed tape may be used in addition to the self-locking, interengaging tabs, machines for applying such adhesive or tape in any case being less complicated and expensive than the machines necessary to completely form the walls of the carton.

As is apparent to those skilled in the art, my inventlon is capable of modification without departing from the spiritthereof. The scope of myinvention is only to be limited by the appended claims which are to be broadly construed.

What I claim is:

1. A carton formed from a single blank comprising a body portion, a notch in one end of said body portion, a flap having an opposed notch at the other end of said body portion, and means separate therefrom to prevent disengagement of said notches when interlocked.

' 2. A blank for a carton comprising a body portion consisting of alternate side and end walls, interlocking means on the ends of said body portion, top flaps along one side of said body portion, bottom flaps along the other side of said body portion, said flaps being attached along score lines defining the sides of said body portion, said interlocking means comprising an edge notch and a slit along the bottom score line at one end of said body portion, and a flap having an opposed edge notch and a locking flap at the other end of said body portion.

3. A blank for a self-locking carton comprising a body portion constituting alternate side and end walls defined by score lines, bottom flaps attached along a score line at the bottom edge of said body portion, a notch in one end of said body' portion, an end flap having an opposed notch therein attached to the opposite end of said body portion, a locking flap attached to the bottom edge of said end flap, and a slit in the bottoin score line at the first-mentioned end of said body portion.

4. A'blank for a carton comprising a body por- Y facilitating the interlocking thereof.

5. A blank for a carton comprising a body p0 tion divided by score lines into alternate side and end walls, means comprising interlocking notches for securing the end walls together, top flaps along one side of said body portion, bottom naps along the other side of said body portion, alternate flaps of said bottom flaps being provided with interlocking notches, and score lines provided adjacent said notches for facilitatingthe interlocking thereof.

6. A'bl'ank for a carton comprising a body portion divided into alternate side and end walls, means for securing the end walls together, top flaps along one side of said body portion, bottom flaps along the other side of said body portion,

alternate flaps of said top and bottom flaps being lines provided adjacent said notches tor facilitating the interlocking thereof.

provided with interlocking notches, and score a body portion constituting alternate side and end walls defined by score lines, bottom flaps attached along the score line at the bottom edge 01' said body portion, a notch in one end of said body portion, an end flap having an opposed notch therein attached to the opposite end of said body portion, a locking flap attached to the bottom edge oi said end flap, a slit in the bottom score line at the first-mentioned end of said body portion, and interlocking means on the edges of alternate bottom flaps.

8. A carton formed from a blank comprising wall sections forming the body portion of the carton, means to interlock the wall sections posi- 'I. A blank for a self-locking carton comprising tioned at each end of the blank and means separate from said interlocking means to prevent accidental disengagement thereof.

9. A carton formed from a blank comprising wall sections forming the body portion of the carton, means to interlock the wall sections positioned at each end of the blank and means separate from said interlocking means to prevent accidental disengagement thereof, said means comprising a flap carried by the interlocking means on one of said wall sections adapted to engage in a slit formed in the other of said wall sections.

HENRY KONDOLF. 

